Saturday, September 20, 2008
Green Shift vs National Energy Program
Prime Minister Harper, Premier Wall from Saskatchewan and others frequently use fear mongering tactics to discredit the Liberal Green Shift plan by comparing it to the dreaded National Energy Program initiated by Trudeau in 1980. I would challenge Conservative politicians or party members to identify the three objectives behind the NEP and the three goals to achieve those objectives. Then be honest and explain how the Green Shift Plan equates to the NEP.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Majority Means...
During the term of his minority government Harper has been gutsy, yet arrogant, mean, cold, and aloof. He excels at belittling his opponents and marginalizing the poor and homeless. He scoffs at global warming. His list of broken promises continued to grow right up to the dissolution of parliament.
Imagine what he could do if he had a majority government.
Imagine what he could do if he had a majority government.
Labels: Conservatives, Harper
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Carbon Tax In My Pocket
BC's carbon tax increased my take home pay by $38.00 per month effective July 1. According to Dion's plan, my take home pay will increase my take home pay by about $74.00 per month. Add $38.00 to $74.00 and you get $112.00. What is it that people don't undertand about carbon tax?
Mr. Harper Is No Mr. Rogers
Well, we have another federal election. Three in four years, no less. This time round the Conservative Party is trying to portray Mr. Harper as having a warm and fuzzy side by dressing him in casual sweaters. Make no mistake, Mr. Harper is no Mr. Rogers. And, he's not welcome in my neighbourhood.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Religion v. Politics
Peter McKnight's article "Conservatives Confuse Science and Moralizing" (Vancouver Sun, September 1, 2007) brings the Conservative Party into sharp focus for what it is - an evangelical based political party.
My issue isn't with evangelicals, but with mixing religion and politics. Simply look at how the evangelical based Republican Party in the U.S. has polarized Americans. That same polarization is unfolding in Canada with the Conservatives.
McKnight's article reminded me of an Okanagan Shuswap Conservative nomination meeting I attended almost a year ago in which some of MP Colin Mayes' supporters referred to his non-supporters as "ungodly".
I found the religious aspect of that dialogue quite distasteful. It ultimately led to my "ungodly" departure from the Conservative Party.
My issue isn't with evangelicals, but with mixing religion and politics. Simply look at how the evangelical based Republican Party in the U.S. has polarized Americans. That same polarization is unfolding in Canada with the Conservatives.
McKnight's article reminded me of an Okanagan Shuswap Conservative nomination meeting I attended almost a year ago in which some of MP Colin Mayes' supporters referred to his non-supporters as "ungodly".
I found the religious aspect of that dialogue quite distasteful. It ultimately led to my "ungodly" departure from the Conservative Party.
Labels: Conservatives, Harper
Thursday, August 02, 2007
The General and The General
So, there is a problem in the relationship between Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor and Chief of Defence Staff, General Hillier. The root of the problem is simple: Hillier is the general of the day, but not a politician. O'Connor is neither.
Labels: Afghanistan, Hillier, O'Connor
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Just the Facts Please, Mr. Harper
Yesterday, the Vancouver Sun published an article by Senator Larry Campbell in which he revealed the Senate's statistics on dealing with government's crime bills - all of this was a response to Prime Minister Harper's incessant criticism of Liberal senators, particularly in respect of allegedly dragging their feet in passing crime bills.
Larry Campbell's perspective of the Senate along with the presentation of statistical facts on the crime bills was indeed refreshing. What a novelty - a plain speaking politician.
When Harper accuses Liberal senators of stalling crime bills he is not only disingenuous, he is plainly deceitful.
Larry Campbell's perspective of the Senate along with the presentation of statistical facts on the crime bills was indeed refreshing. What a novelty - a plain speaking politician.
When Harper accuses Liberal senators of stalling crime bills he is not only disingenuous, he is plainly deceitful.
Labels: accountability, Harper, Larry Campbell, Liberals, Senate
Monday, July 09, 2007
Commissioner William Elliot
Not for one moment did I think Prime Minister Harper and Minister Day would ever consider an outsider for the Commissioner's job in the RCMP, let alone one who has no police experience. Nonetheless, a gutsy "outside the box" move. Probably among the few good decisions this government has made during its short controversial existence. Hopefully, history will agree.
However, Commissioner Elliot (the very utterance of the words must make RCMP management seethe with white foam) will, to a large degree, require the cooperation of management. So far, high ranking officers have expressed their approval in guarded politically correct phrases, while rank and file members seem to be accepting Commissioner Elliot's appointment.
Prime Minister Harper has delivered the RCMP a hard pill large enough to choke a horse. Let's see if the RCMP has the spurs to swallow it.
However, Commissioner Elliot (the very utterance of the words must make RCMP management seethe with white foam) will, to a large degree, require the cooperation of management. So far, high ranking officers have expressed their approval in guarded politically correct phrases, while rank and file members seem to be accepting Commissioner Elliot's appointment.
Prime Minister Harper has delivered the RCMP a hard pill large enough to choke a horse. Let's see if the RCMP has the spurs to swallow it.
Labels: accountability, Conservatives, Harper, RCMP, Stockwell Day
